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Following on from the 1950s collection, this is the second collection of Brian Aldiss’ short stories, taken from the 1960s. A must-have for collectors. Part two of four.This collection gathers together, for the very first time, Brian Aldiss’ complete catalogue of short stories from the 1960s, in four parts.Taken from diverse and often rare sources, the works in this collection chart the blossoming career of one of Britain’s most beloved authors. From stories of discordant astronauts, approaching a star-swallowing vortex, to a mother and son, in danger of becoming ever younger when they are captured by an alien race and taken to a world where time runs backward, this book proves once again that Aldiss’ gifted prose and unparalleled imagination never fail to challenge and delight.The four books of the 1960s short story collection are must-have volumes for all Aldiss fans, and an excellent introduction to the work of a true master.THE BRIAN ALDISS COLLECTION INCLUDES OVER 50 BOOKS AND SPANS THE AUTHOR’S ENTIRE CAREER, FROM HIS DEBUT IN 1955 TO HIS MORE RECENT WORK.
This collection captures the volatile intersection of human ambition and cosmic indifference through a series of short narratives set against the backdrop of the 1960s. The protagonist roles shift across these stories, often featuring isolated individuals or small groups grappling with technological anomalies, temporal distortions, and the vast, uncaring reaches of space. These characters must navigate logical paradoxes and existential threats that challenge their understanding of reality. The narrative framework utilizes a variety of perspectives, ranging from third-person observational accounts to intimate, character-driven studies of psychological disintegration under extreme conditions.
This collection serves as a significant archival effort, preserving the experimental breadth of a prolific mid-century author. The stories reflect the stylistic shifts of the 1960s, moving away from rigid genre conventions toward more introspective and surrealist territory. Readers often note the consistency of the author's imaginative scope, which remains evident even in the shorter, more compressed formats. The work functions as a vital record for those interested in the evolution of British science fiction during a period of rapid cultural and literary change. The prose demonstrates a technical precision that anchors even the most abstract concepts in a tangible, often unsettling reality.
Page Count:
396
Publication Date:
2014-07-03
Publisher:
Harper Voyager; edition (2015-09-24)
ISBN-10:
0007586388
ISBN-13:
9780007586387
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